Shoreline and recreational space improvements along the Mystic River provide the City of Medford and the Mystic River region with a significant open space that evokes ecological communities and habitats, improves access to adjacent communities and neighborhoods, and encourages a variety of passive recreational opportunities, such as canoeing, bird watching and hiking. In addition, the design invites visitors and residents to experience the river edge environment from a variety of informal vantage points and gathering spaces.